Could be.
Late Wednesday, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed a motion to proceed to legislation extending unemployment benefits. But the majority leader was quick to clarify that the move is no indication that he’s struck a deal with GOP leaders over how to pass the bill.
“We’re trying to work something out,” Reid said, adding that the cloture motion was intended “to move the process along as we continue to negotiate.”
Republicans are hoping to attach a series of amendments, including a provision to expand the homebuyer tax credit and another to pay for the unemployment extension with unspent stimulus funds. Still other Republicans have offered immigration- and ACORN-related amendments they hope will fly alongside the unemployment benefits bill.
“We’ve exchanged the papers with the minority,” Reid said. “We would hope that they come back with a reasonable number of amendments.”
Meanwhile, it’s estimated that 7,000 Americanslose their benefits each day. The House passedits version of the unemployment insurance extension in September. **
Some movement here, also as of Oct. 22.